Collins: Tejada close to return to game action

By Ethan Asofsky / MLB.com

NEW YORK -- Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada could be back with the Major League club as soon as next weekend. The 22-year-old has been recovering from a quad injury suffered on May 6, and manager Terry Collins said he doesn't think Tejada is far from seeing game action.

"All he's been doing is getting some at-bats in the extended spring, not running the bases," Collins said. "We know he's been doing some kind of baseball activity, but [Tuesday] they're going to have him do the half moons around the back of the infield to see how he is."

If all goes well with the running drills on Tuesday, Tejada could be playing in rehab games in extended spring action on Wednesday or Thursday. Collins said Tejada shouldn't need more than a few rehab games because he's already taking at-bats.

Tejada was batting .305 with eight RBIs before the injury.

Cedeno out of series opener with calf strain

NEW YORK -- Ronny Cedeno's calf injury, which was originally reported as a cramp, was diagnosed as a small strain on Monday. Cedeno suffered the injury while fouling off a pitch in the eighth inning of Saturday's 9-0 win against the Padres.

"What he did, he made his stride and then rotated on it," manager Terry Collins said. "He felt it was a cramp also, because he felt it grab. He went out to first base and it just tightened up on him, and he had to come out."

Collins said Cedeno could have played on Monday, but he decided to be careful. Justin Turner started at shortstop against the Phillies.

"It's just still bothering him a little bit," Collins said. "It's a small little strain. It's more than a cramp. He's better today."

Rottino looking to Baxter as example

NEW YORK -- Mets left fielder Vinny Rottino is trying to mimic the approach outfielder Mike Baxter has taken this season. Rottino has had several conversations with Baxter about adjusting to situational hitting in the Major Leagues.

"Baxter talks about it being a feel. Once you feel that in the cage and take it out in the game, just kind of getting in a routine of it," Rottino said. "I told [manager Terry Collins] the first time when they sent me down, 'This role, I'll figure it out. It's just a matter of getting comfortable doing it, coming off the bench and not playing every day.' I just think that's it, getting used to the mentality and the mindset."

After hitting his first Major League home run on Saturday, the 32-year-old Rottino found his name back in the starting lineup on Monday. Baxter has earned regular playing time this season behind a .345 average after thriving as a pinch-hitter to start the year. Rottino is looking to take a similar path as Baxter, proving himself worthy of further playing time by executing strong at-bats when he's called upon.

Rottino entered Monday 3-for-9 with three runs scored since getting recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on May 21.

Worth noting

 Miguel Batista will make a rehab start on Tuesday at Double-A Binghamton. He is on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 20 with a minor muscle pull in his back.

Ethan Asofsky is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.